Joe Booth, CEO, Altus Group Ltd

As manufacturers continue navigating rapid technological change, our focus remains on strengthening the foundations of smart, connected, and highly efficient production environments. The industry's shift toward real-time data, predictive insights, and seamlessly integrated systems aligns closely with our long-term strategy, and we expect this trajectory to further accelerate in 2026.

While global market conditions naturally influence planning across the sector, they have not altered our core direction. Instead, they underscore the importance of building resilient, transparent, and flexible manufacturing ecosystems that can adapt smoothly to external pressures.

Artificial Intelligence is already an integral part of our work, supporting smarter decision-making, earlier detection of process deviations, and a more stable overall manufacturing flow. As AI capabilities mature, we see even greater potential to enhance quality, optimize resource use, and reduce downtime.

Demand for intelligent and connected production solutions continues to grow, and we are well-positioned to support customers as they transition toward more autonomous, sustainable, and future-ready manufacturing environments.